Front post stitches

Some time ago I posted two new patterns. The Linear fingerless gloves and The Column beanie. What these patterns both have in common is the use of front post stitches. Using front post stitches creates a rib effect, adding an extra dimension to your crochet. I must love it more than I gave it credit, its popping up more and more in my work.

If you're unfamiliar with the technique, I'd love to run though how I create this effect that can be used in the band of the gloves. The same effect applies within a body of work as well.

Both of these pattern have been created with a DK weight yarn. Vanitas by Outlaw Yarn a New Zealand based yarn and Cleckheaton superfine merino yarn from Australia, have both been a staple in my winter stash. I loved the softness, texture and warmth with both of these yarns. Both created great stitch definition so the texture the pattern creates can really be seen.

Here's how it starts |

Chain the required number of stitches and sl st into the first chain created.

Foundation round:

If you aren't already familiar, the chain stitch is separated into 3 parts.

Front Loop,

Back loop and

Bump.

The front loop and back loop are what constitute the V stitch appearance on the front of the stitch.

In the photo below I've displayed the back of the chain. The back bump is the loop that runs horizontal along your work.

The beauty of working through the back bump means you end up with a beautiful 'V' stitch finish at the base. There are two down sides to this, there isn't as much elasticity on the base and it can be a little tricker picking that loop up as opposed to just working the back loop or back and bump together of the chain.

If this isn't so important, please work the foundation row how you like, ensuring you have the correct number of stitches as quoted in the pattern.

Treble (tr) into each bump. (dc for US terminology)

As I mentioned earlier, I find it a little trickier to work in each bump chain stitch. Rather than pushing my hook directly through it, I often push it downwards into the chain and as I lift my hoof back up through the chain it catches the bump.

As you keep working the foundation row you'll start to see the beautiful finish it creates on the edge.

Tr into the last bump and slst into the the first st.

Rnd 2: ch 2 to gain your height.

To start the front post treble stitch (fptr), yarn over as normal for a tr. Push your hook around the front of the next stitch, yarn over and pull through. In the picture below you'll see the stitch lifts forward.

Yarn over and complete the tr stitch as normal.

Tr into the next stitch. This is directly after the fptr you just created.

The next st is another fptr. YO and push the hook around the front of the next st. Continue to complete the tr st as normal.

The round will continue (fptr, tr) rpt till the second last stitch.

The last stitch will be a fptr, around the last tr stitch of the previous row before the ch2 start.

Slst into the first st to finish.

Rnd 3: Rpt Rnd 2

Each fptr will be around the fptr from the previous rnd, and the tr into each tr.